EAC-USAID/EAST AFRICA ACTIVITIES REVIEW MEETING CONCLUDES IN ARUSHA

A two-day EAC-USAID East Africa activities review meeting concluded 12 March 2013 at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

The USAID/East Africa Mission Director based in Nairobi, Kenya, Dr. Jeffrey Ashley led a team of Heads of Units/Advisors in regional economic growth and integration, Agriculture, Environment, Climate change, Health, Energy, Monitoring and Evaluation.

 Among others is to review activities in the respective fields and get updates on the 2013 work plans with their counterparts at the EAC Secretariat led by Dr. James Njagu, the Principal Resource Mobilization Officer.

The USAID Team paid a courtesy call on the Secretary General of the East African Community Amb. Dr. Richard Sezibera, during which the Secretary General commended the partnership between EAC and the US government through USAID. Amb. Sezibera hailed the willingness President Obama’s administration to up-scale its engagement with the EAC as a region.

The Secretary General urged the USAID-EAC Teams to focus on results as they review and plan for activities. “You need to plan, measure and communicate results better” urged Amb. Sezibera, adding that there is need to engage in those activities where we can show results to the people of East Africa. We need to show that the integration process is working to the people of this region.

The Secretary General also implored USAID to consider supporting the EAC in infrastructure development especially in rails, ports and harbours as well as the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO)- the regional organization under the East African Community responsible for coordinating and managing fisheries resources of Lake Victoria.

 Secretary General of East African Community Dr. Richard Sezibera (Center) with the delegation of USAID and EAC officials